Canada's Finance Minister Jim Flaherty speaks to journalists before the start of a meeting with provincial and territorial finance ministers at Meech Lake in Chelsea, Quebec December 16, 2013.Chris Wattie

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's unexpected job losses in December demonstrate the fragility of the recovery, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said on Friday, while also noting that the 100,000 jobs created in the year 2013 were "encouraging".

"This is a reminder that the economic recovery remains fragile and we must stay focused on our plan to grow the economy and keep taxes low to create the environment where job creation can flourish," Flaherty said in an emailed statement.